Re: Different types of meds?

[Guest guest]

A good many of us here feel that Natural thyroid (like Armour and it's generics) are far superior to synthetics (like Synthroid).

The naturals contain all the components found with normal thyroid function in a natural form, where the synthetics contain only one of the hormones and if not process properly by the body won't do you as much good as it could....

We have a page set up that runs through the various hormones and meds and tests that will help make it a little more clear.

www.thyrophoenix.com/thyroid_101.htm

As always... ask questions.. that's what we're here for....

I was on the synthetics for a little over a decade after my RAI (to kill my thyroid)... I got worse and worse each year... Part was that I was under dosed, part because I was a poor converter.. all because the docs didn't take the correct tests and adjust my dose properly..... I've been on naturals for a bit over two years now.... with improvements to make a LONNNNGGGG list... I'll NEVER go back to synthetic T4 only (Synthroid and it's clones)

But, as much as I prefer the naturals, the decision is still yours, you have to do what is right for you... we're here to help you make the decision and support the one that you choose as right for you.

Topper ()

On Sun, 05 Sep 2004 18:41:07 -0000 "tm_upton" writes:

I've noticed a lot of discussion about the different types of medication. I was wondering what the differences were? I have Hashimoto's and have been on Synthroid since May 04. If I don't get back to 100% should I think about trying a different medication or just stick with it? Anyone switched and felt better? I'd love to hear your opinion. Tara

[Guest guest]

Synthroid and Lavoxyl and the other syntetic T4 meds differ from

what your thyroid makes by being only one of the 7 hormones that the

thyroid puts out. Synthroid and others like it are chemically

altered from human thryoid by having a sodium attached to them. This

sodium needs to be removed by stomach acids for it to become the

real thing and work. The sodium was added for the manufacturer to

obtain a patent. About 80 85% of what the human thyroid puts out is

T4 and the rest is T0, T1, T2 (two forms), T3 (two forms), and

calcitonin from the parathyroid. The most active thyroid hormone is

T3 and then T2. T4 (Synthroid) is relatively inactive. T4 must be

converted by tissues in the body to T3 and the other Ts. T3 and T2

are mainly responsible for your metabolic rate and producing body

heat.

Armour is thyroid extract of pig thyroids. It contains all the

hormones that the human thyroid makes. It differs from human thryoid

output by having about 24% T3. The human thryoid makes about 10-12%

T3. So, Armour is more active than human thyroid hormones and

definitely more active than Synthroid.

I think if you did a survey, you would find that most people here

prefer Armour. Armour and other natural thyroids were the only

thyroid replacement for at least 73 years before synthroid. Many

people have disturbances in the body that prevent them from

adequately converting Synthroid (T4) into the other hormones. This

means that Synthroid can leave people with hypothyroid symptoms even

though their dose appears right by tests. The body was not designed

to use all T4 or it would have been made that way. Conversion of T4

is not as good in some tissues, so some tissues need T3. The brain

is one organ that needs lots of T3 and all T4 therapy appears to

hamper brain function to some degree.

The higher amount of T3 in Armour is often benificial for people who

don't convert T4 to the other hormones well. Since it is more

active, people have felt they feel much better on Armour than

Synthroid. So, if you feel that you low thyroid symptoms have not

all gone away and that you are suffering with low energy,

cardiovascular problems, reproductive problems, brain fog, cool body

temperatures (less than 98.6), hair loss or any of the hypothryoid

symtoms, then Armour is definitely worth a try.

Tish

[Guest guest]

And after you talk to him, be sure to come back here. I dont' want to be dsuch a downer, but most endo's don't like Armour and can give some really wacky reasons. Bottom line is Armour cannot be patented and is therefore not as profitable as the Synthetics so the drug companies push what brings in the gold. Just don't let that doc scare you away from us. Get informed and make your own decisions. Docs are not gods.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: tm_upton Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 6:27 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Re: Re: Different types of meds?

Thank You so much for the info. I know it takes time, but I just don't feel like the synthroid is doing a lot for me. I'm still gaining weight and I have so many memory problems and feel like I'm in a daze all the time. I'll definitely talk to my endocrine doc about Armour.

[Guest guest]

And after you talk to him, be sure to come back here. I dont' want to be dsuch a downer, but most endo's don't like Armour and can give some really wacky reasons. Bottom line is Armour cannot be patented and is therefore not as profitable as the Synthetics so the drug companies push what brings in the gold. Just don't let that doc scare you away from us. Get informed and make your own decisions. Docs are not gods.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: tm_upton Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 6:27 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Re: Re: Different types of meds?

Thank You so much for the info. I know it takes time, but I just don't feel like the synthroid is doing a lot for me. I'm still gaining weight and I have so many memory problems and feel like I'm in a daze all the time. I'll definitely talk to my endocrine doc about Armour.

[Guest guest]

And after you talk to him, be sure to come back here. I dont' want to be dsuch a downer, but most endo's don't like Armour and can give some really wacky reasons. Bottom line is Armour cannot be patented and is therefore not as profitable as the Synthetics so the drug companies push what brings in the gold. Just don't let that doc scare you away from us. Get informed and make your own decisions. Docs are not gods.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: tm_upton Sent: Sunday, September 05, 2004 6:27 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Re: Re: Different types of meds?

Thank You so much for the info. I know it takes time, but I just don't feel like the synthroid is doing a lot for me. I'm still gaining weight and I have so many memory problems and feel like I'm in a daze all the time. I'll definitely talk to my endocrine doc about Armour.